Carrickfergus - Irish Folk Song -Celtic Guitar

Hello friends, this is a lovely Irish folk song called Carrickfergus; the origins of the song are unclear, but it has been traced to an Irish language song, "Do bhí bean uasal" ("There Was a Noblewoman"), which is attested to the poet Cathal Buí Mac Giolla Ghunna, who died in 1745 in Co. Clare. This arrangement is largely based on Glen Weiser's and is played in DADGAD.
More info on song (from Wiki):
The Irish lyrics were about a man being cuckolded, a bawdy and humorous ditty. By contrast, the English lyrics are nostalgic.

With the Industrial Revolution, a linen-trade developed between Co. Antrim (where Carrickfergus is situated), and Co. Cork. It is possible the English lyrics came from snatches picked up in interactions with the Ulstermen.

In modern times, "Carrickfergus" became known after actor Peter O'Toole related it to Dominic Behan, who put it in print and made a recording in the mid-1960s. The middle verse was allegedly written by Behan.

The song has been recorded by many well known performers including Declan Affley, Joan Baez, Dominic Behan, Charlotte Church, De Dannan, Joe Dassin (as Mon village du bout du monde), The Dubliners, Bryan Ferry, Brian Kennedy, Declan Galbraith, Irish Stew of Sindidun, Lisa Kelly, Loreena McKennitt, Órla Fallon, Van Morrison, Bryn Terfel, Van Morrison and the Chieftains, and Ronan Keating. The song is a popular request at folk festivals and concerts, and was played at the 1999 funeral of John F. Kennedy, Jr. The song was more recently performed by Loudon Wainwright III over the closing credits of HBO's series, Boardwalk Empire.
Lyrics (english): I wish I was in Carrickfergus, only for nights in Ballygran I would swim over the deepest ocean, the deepest ocean for my love to find But the sea is wide and I cannot swim over and neither have I wings to fly If I could find me a handsome boatman to ferry me over to my love and die My childhood days bring back sad reflections of happy times I spent so long ago My boyhood friends and my own relations have all passed on now like melting snow But I'll spend my days in endless roaming soft is the grass my bed is free Ah to be back in Carrickfergus on that long road down to the sea And in Kilkenny it is reported there are marble stones as black as ink With gold and silver I would support her, but I'll sing no more now till I get a drink I'm drunk today and I'm seldom sober, a handsome rover from town to town Ah, but I'm sick now, my days are numbered so come all ye young men and lay me down[2]

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Carrickfergus
• Celtic guitar
• Irish folk song
• Ireland
• music
• fingerstyle
• boucher
• ballad
• fingerpicking
• acoustic
• live

[razaalak]

A nice tune, and nicely played as always!

In most of your videos you have headphones on, are you listening to a metronome?

[BlackDogBroonzy]

@razaalak Thanks friend - no I never use a metronome when recording (prefer a natural timing), the headphones are so I can hear my sound from mic.

[tuomaankuoma1]

This is beautyfull! In Finnland we have a one song what I my self think its so pretty as this. It's " Ruskie neitsyt, valkie neitsyt" and best presentation for it is Katriina Honkanen. Let she rest in peace!

[blueniner]

Any way you could do a tutorial for this one?

[Stevo2426]

Hi, I was just wondering, do you know the name of the writer of this song, because this song is on my GCSE music course and we need to find the writers of each song, thanks.

[freescorepaul]

I've never tried DADGAD tuning. It sounds great, perfect for Carrickfergus. I very much enjoy this fine performance - thanks and all the best!

Paul

[MrP00sy]

have you put up any pieces that aren't laments. When i search for celtic music, i look for the really fast bouncy stuff that is just completely filled with energy, but it seems that almost everyone on youtube thinks all the celts played were laments

[3finker]

Well done mate !

[anthonymcdonagh2k10]

TAB PLEEEEASE :d

[NaranjaPeal]

Beautiful! *Thumbs up!!* :)

[averageanarchist]

This is a great piece of music and man that Boucher has such a beautiful rich full tone.....